Method and system for discovering a power source on a peripheral bus

ABSTRACT

Improved techniques to recognize a power source on a peripheral bus and/or determine power available from the power source via the peripheral bus are disclosed. Typically, the peripheral bus is supported by a cable connected between a host device and an electronic device. In this case, the host device is a power source (e.g., power adapter or battery pack) and the cable is used to provide power from the power source to the electronic device. Hence, by understanding the power available from the power source, the electronic device can manage its power utilization so as to operate in a stable and reliable manner. The electronic device is, for example, a portable computing device. Examples of portable computing devices include a Portable Digital Assistant (PDA) and a portable media player.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No.: 60/______, filed Oct. 8, 2004, entitled “METHOD ANDSYSTEM FOR DISCOVERING A POWER ADAPTER ON A PERIPHERAL BUS,” which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

This application also claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No.: 60/588,959, filed Jul. 18, 2004, entitled “METHOD ANDSYSTEM FOR DISCOVERING A POWER ADAPTER ON A PERIPHERAL BUS,” which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

This application is also related to: (i) U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/______, filed Jan. 7, 2005, entitled “PORTABLE POWER SOURCE TOPROVIDE POWER TO AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE VIA AN INTERFACE HIGHLY PORTABLEMEDIA DEVICE,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (ii)U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______, filed Jan. 7, 2005, entitled“PORTABLE POWER SOURCE TO PROVIDE POWER TO AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE VIA ANINTERFACE HIGHLY PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE,” which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference; (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______,filed Jan. 7, 2005, entitled “ACCESSORY AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRONICDEVICES,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iv) U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/______, filed Jan. 7, 2005, entitled“CONNECTOR SYSTEM,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference;(v) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______, filed Jan. 7, 2005,entitled “CONNECTOR INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR MULTI-COMMUNICATION DEVICE,”which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (vii) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/278,752, filed Oct. 22, 2002, entitled “METHODSAND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY IN A PERIPHERAL DEVICE,” which ishereby incorporated herein by reference; and (viii) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/125,893, filed Mar. 18, 2002, entitled “POWERADAPTERS FOR POWERING AND/OR CHARGING PERIPHERAL DEVICES,” which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electronic devices and, moreparticularly, to portable electronic devices that can couple toperipheral buses.

2. Description of the Related Art

Portable electronic devices, such as Portable Digital Assistants andmedia players, are often battery powered. These electronic devicessometimes also have peripheral bus ports that are able to supportperipheral buses, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) or FIREWIRE (IEEE1394) bus ports. Peripheral buses are used to provide datacommunications with electronic devices as well as to provide limitedamounts of power to the electronic devices.

Recently, the iPod®, a media player developed by Apple Computer, Inc. ofCupertino, Calif., has been able to charge its battery through powerprovided to its FIREWIRE bus port. Although charging batteries orotherwise powering an electronic device via a peripheral bus isconvenient, peripheral buses are not designed to carry large amounts ofpower. In the case of a USB bus, the available power is limited to about0.5 Watts but can be increased to about 2.5 Watts through a negotiationprocess. Unfortunately, not only is the negotiation process cumbersome,but the amount of power (even when increased through negotiation) isstill often inadequate for many electronic devices.

Thus, there is a need to facilitate greater power delivery to electronicdevices via peripheral buses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly speaking, the invention relates to improved techniques torecognize a power source on a peripheral bus and/or determine poweravailable from the power source via the peripheral bus. Typically, theperipheral bus is supported by a cable connected between a host deviceand an electronic device. In this case, the host device is a powersource (e.g., power adapter or battery pack) and the cable is used toprovide power from the power source to the electronic device. Hence, byunderstanding the power available from the power source, the electronicdevice can manage its power utilization so as to operate in a stable andreliable manner. The electronic device is, for example, a portablecomputing device. Examples of portable computing devices include aPortable Digital Assistant (PDA) and a portable media player.

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as amethod, system, device, apparatus, or computer readable medium. Severalembodiments of the invention are discussed below.

As an electrical device, one embodiment of the invention includes atleast: a bus interface coupled to a bus connector, the bus connectorproviding a power line, a ground line and a plurality of data lines tothe bus interface; an available power detector operatively connected tothe bus interface, the available power detector operates to detect alevel of available power from the power line when a power source isoperatively connected to the bus interface via the bus connector;power-consuming circuitry; and a power manager operatively connected tothe available power detector and the power-consuming circuitry, thepower manager operates to manage power utilization by at least a portionof the power-consuming circuitry based on the level of available power.

As a method for managing power utilization by an electrical devicehaving a bus connector, one embodiment includes at least the acts of:detecting connection of a peripheral bus to a bus connector of theelectrical device, the peripheral bus having at least a power line and aplurality of bus data lines; reading voltage levels on the bus datalines when the detecting detects connection of the peripheral bus;determining whether a host device providing the peripheral bus is apower adapter based on the voltage levels; and determining an availablepower level for the power adapter based on the voltage levels when it isdetermines that the host device is a power adapter; and managing powerutilization of the electrical device based on the available power levelfor the power adapter.

As a method for managing power utilization by an electrical devicehaving a bus connector, another embodiment includes at least the actsof: detecting connection of a peripheral bus to a bus connector of theelectrical device, the peripheral bus having at least a power line and aplurality of bus data lines; reading voltage levels on the bus datalines when said detecting detects connection of the peripheral bus;determining whether a host device providing the peripheral bus is abattery pack based on the voltage levels; and determining an availablepower capacity of the battery pack based on the voltage levels when itis determined that the host device is a battery pack; and managing powerutilization of the electrical device based on the available powercapacity of the battery pack.

As a method for determining power availability from a power adaptercoupled to an electronic device via a peripheral bus, the peripheral bushaving at least a power line and a plurality of bus data lines, oneembodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: readingvoltage levels induced on the bus data lines by the power adapter; anddetermining an available power level for the power adapter based on thevoltage levels.

As a method for determining power availability from a battery packcoupled to an electronic device via a peripheral bus, the peripheral bushaving at least a power line and a plurality of bus data lines, anotherembodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: readingvoltage levels induced on the bus data lines by the battery pack; anddetermining an available power level for the battery pack based on thevoltage levels.

As a method for identifying a peripheral device coupled to a peripheralconnector of an electronic device, one embodiment of the inventionincludes at least the acts of: detecting connection of a peripheral busto the bus connector of the electrical device, the peripheral bus beingassociated with a host device that is also connected to the peripheralbus, the peripheral bus having at least a power line and a plurality ofbus data lines; reading voltage levels on the bus data lines after thedetecting detects connection of the peripheral bus; and identifying thehost device as a power adapter or battery pack based on the voltagelevels.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a power delivery system according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a power delivery system according toanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a power adapter according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a battery pack according to one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a resistor arrangement according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a resistor arrangement according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3C illustrates a resistor arrangement according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a table that provides a representative correlationof high voltage level to available power.

FIG. 4B illustrates a table that provides a representative correlationof high voltage level to available power.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an analog-to-digital conversion circuitaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a power management system according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an available power process according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a boot process according to one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a media player suitable for use with theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to improved techniques to recognize a power sourceon a peripheral bus and/or determine power available from the powersource via the peripheral bus. Typically, the peripheral bus issupported by a cable connected between a host device and an electronicdevice. In this case, the host device is a power source (e.g., poweradapter or battery pack) and the cable is used to provide power from thepower source to the electronic device. Hence, by understanding the poweravailable from the power source, the electronic device can manage itspower utilization so as to operate in a stable and reliable manner. Theelectronic device is, for example, a portable computing device. Examplesof portable computing devices include a Portable Digital Assistant (PDA)and a portable media player.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to FIGS.1A-10. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a power delivery system 100 according toone embodiment of the invention. The power delivery system 100 includesa power adapter 102. The power adapter 102 can couple to an alternatingcurrent (AC) outlet by way of an AC plug 104 and a power cord 106. Whenso connected, AC power is supplied to the power adapter 102 from the ACoutlet via the AC plug 104 and the power cord 106. Within the poweradapter 102, the AC power is converted to direct current (DC) power. TheDC power is coupled to a peripheral connector 108 of the power adapter102 so that the DC power is available for use by other devices. In oneembodiment, the peripheral connector 108 can be a Universal Serial Bus(USB) connector. In another embodiment, the peripheral connector 108 canbe a FIREWIRE™ connector.

The peripheral connector 108 can receive a counterpart connector of oneend of a peripheral cable 110. The peripheral cable 110 is used toprovide the DC power from the peripheral connector 108 of the poweradapter 102 to an electronic device 112. Hence, the opposite end of theperipheral cable 110 has a counterpart connector that couples to aperipheral connector 114 of the electronic device 112. The electronicdevice 112, in this embodiment, receives the DC power made available bythe power adapter 102 via the peripheral cable 110. Here, the poweradapter 102 can be considered a host device, at least for power, and theother devices that receive the power via the peripheral connector 108can be considered peripheral devices, at least for power.

The DC power supplied to the electronic device 112 by the peripheralcable 110 can be consumed by the electronic device 112. However, thepower adapter 102 is designed to provide only a certain, limited amountof power. Hence, proper design of the electronic circuit 112 woulddictate that the electronic circuit 112 respect the certain, limitedamount of power made available by the power adapter 102. This iscomplicated by the fact that the electronic device 112 can operate withvarious different power adapters that provide different limited amountsof power. Nevertheless, to avoid the electronic device 112 fromover-consuming the amount of power available from the power adapter 102,the electronic device 112 includes a power manager 116. The powermanager 116 can operate power consuming circuitry 118 within theelectronic device 112 such that the available power from the poweradapter 102 is not over-consumed. Hence, the operation of the electronicdevice 112 remains stable even when connected to different poweradapters that provide different limited amounts of power. As an example,the power manager 116 can disable, limit or sequence usage of variouscircuits of the power consuming circuitry 118 such that the power beingconsumed is normally not more than the certain, limited amount of powermade available by the power adapter 102. A battery can be providedwithin the electronic device 112 to provide power when the power adapter102 is not connected, or can provide supplemental power (should it beneeded) when the power adapter 102 is connected.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a power delivery system 150 according toanother embodiment of the invention. The power delivery system 150 isgenerally similar to the power delivery system 100 shown in FIG. 1Aexcept that the power adapter 102 is replaced by a battery pack 150. Thebattery pack 150 provides direct current (DC) power. The peripheralcable 110 is used to provide the DC power from the battery pack 150 tothe electronic device 112. The DC power supplied to the electronicdevice 112 by the peripheral cable 110 can be consumed by the electronicdevice 112. However, like the power adapter 102 of FIG. 1A, the batterypack 150 is designed to provide only a certain, limited amount of power.Hence, proper design of the electronic circuit 112 would dictate thatthe electronic circuit 112 respect the certain, limited amount of powermade available by the battery pack 152. However, the power availablefrom the battery pack 150 is dependent on the type and quantity ofbatteries provided in the battery pack 150. The power manager 116 canoperate power consuming circuitry 118 within the electronic device 112such that the available power from the battery pack 152 is notover-consumed. Hence, the operation of the electronic device 112 remainsstable even when connected to different battery packs that providedifferent limited amounts of power. As an example, the power manager 116can disable, limit or sequence usage of various circuits of the powerconsuming circuitry 118 such that the power being consumed is normallynot more than the certain, limited amount of power made available by thebattery pack 152. A battery can be provided within the electronic device112 to provide power when the battery pack 152 is not connected, or canprovide supplemental power (should it be needed) when the battery pack152 is connected.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a power adapter 200 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The power adapter 200 is, for example,suitable for use as the power adapter 102 illustrated in FIG. 1A.

The power adapter 200 includes an AC/DC converter 202 and an availablepower indicator 204. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the AC/DCconverter 202 can receive AC power from the AC outlet via the AC plug104 and the power cord 106. The AC power is then converted to DC powerby the AC/DC converter 202. The DC power is then coupled to a power lineof a peripheral connector 206. A ground line is also coupled to theperipheral connector 206. The available power indicator 204 also couplesto the DC power and the ground line. The available power indicator 204provides an available power indication. The available power indicationindicates the amount of available power offered by the power adapter200. The available power indication provided by the available powerindicator 204 is coupled to data lines of the peripheral connector 206,such as data lines DP and DM shown in FIG. 2A.

The available power indicator 204 can be implemented in a variety ofdifferent ways. In one embodiment, the available power indicator 204couples analog voltage levels to the data lines DP and DM of theperipheral connector 206. The voltages levels can be used to indicatethe available power provided by the power adapter 200. The voltagelevels on the data lines can be used directly or in a differentialmanner. In another embodiment, signaling could be utilized over the datalines. The signaling could pertain to a digital signal or could pertainto signals using a frequency or pulse-width modulation scheme.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a battery pack 250 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The battery pack 250 is, for example,suitable for use as the battery pack 152 illustrated in FIG. 1B.

The battery pack 250 includes one or more batteries 252 and a DC/DCregulator 254. The DC/DC regulator operates to regulate the DC powerprovided by the one or more batteries 252. The battery pack 250 alsoincludes the available power indicator 204. The DC power is then coupledto a power line of a peripheral connector 206. A ground line is alsocoupled to the one or more batteries 252 and the peripheral connector206. As noted above, the available power indicator 204 provides anavailable power indication. In this embodiment, the available powerindication indicates the amount of available power offered by thebattery pack 250. The available power indication provided by theavailable power indicator 204 is coupled to data lines of the peripheralconnector 206, such as data lines DP and DM shown in FIG. 2B.

When the available power indicator 204 is implemented to apply analogvoltage levels to the data lines DP and DM, the available powerindicator 204 can be implemented by a resistor arrangement. FIGS. 3A-3Cillustrate different representative resistor arrangements that can beutilized to implement the available power indicator 204 according tocertain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a resistor arrangement 300 accordingto one embodiment of the invention. The resistor arrangement 300includes a first resistor 302 coupled between DC power (DC PWR) and afirst node 304. A second resistor 306 is coupled between the first node304 and ground (GND). A third resistor 308 is coupled between DC powerand a second node 310. A fourth resistor 312 is coupled between thesecond node 310 and ground. The data line DP is coupled to the secondnode 310, and the data line DM is coupled to the first node 304. Hence,the voltage V_(DP) which appears at the second node 310 is placed on thedata line DP, and the voltage V_(DM) which appears at the first node 304is placed on the data line DM.

FIG. 3B illustrates a resistor arrangement 320 according to anotherembodiment of the invention. The resistor arrangement 320 includes afirst resistor 322 coupled between DC power and a first node 324. Asecond resistor 326 is coupled between the first node 324 and a secondnode 328. A third resistor 330 is coupled between the second node 328and ground. The data line DP is coupled to the first node 324 so as toplace a voltage V_(DP) on the data line DP. The data line DM is coupledto the second node 328 to supply the voltage V_(DM) on the data line DM.

FIG. 3C illustrates a resistor arrangement 340 according to anotherembodiment of the invention. A first resistor 342 is coupled between DCpower and a first node 344. A second resistor 346 is coupled between thefirst node 344 and a second node 348. A third resistor 350 is coupledbetween the second node 348 and ground. The data line DM is coupled tothe first node 344 to supply the voltage V_(DM) to the data line DM. Thedata line DP is coupled to the second node 348 to supply the voltageV_(DP) to the data line DP.

It should be noted that the voltages being coupled to the data lines DPand DM can be used directly or in a differential manner. For example, adifferential voltage could be utilized, such as, V_(DPM)=V_(DP)−V_(DM).The advantage of using a differential voltage is that the number ofgradations of available power levels that can be detected is increased(e.g., doubled). It should also be noted that the resistor arrangement320 in FIG. 3B guarantees that the voltage V_(DP) is always going to begreater than the voltage V_(DM). In contrast, the resistor arrangement340 in FIG. 3C guarantees that the voltage V_(DM) is always going to begreater than the voltage V_(DP). Hence, the resister arrangements 320and 340 are particularly well suited with the differential voltageapproach.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the voltages V_(DP) andV_(DM) appearing on the data lines DP and DM, respectively, are alwaysgoing to be considered “High” by the electronic device 112. That is,these voltage levels will be greater than the minimum high level voltagethat is used to determine whether the voltage at the data line is “High”or “Low”. Hence, although these voltages are “High,” the voltages canexceed the minimum high level by different amounts so as to providegradations of high level voltages. These different gradations can beutilized to signal to the electronic device 112 the particular amount ofavailable power offered by the power adapter 102.

FIG. 4A illustrates a table 400 that provides a representativecorrelation of high voltage level to available power. As shown in thetable 400 illustrated in FIG. 4A, a high voltage level H₁ can indicatethat the corresponding power source can supply 0.5 Watts of availablepower. The power source can be a power adapter or a battery pack. A highvoltage level H₂ can indicate that the corresponding power source cansupply 1 Watt of available power. A high voltage level H₃ can indicatethat the corresponding power source can supply 3.0 Watts of availablepower. Additionally, in general, the n^(th) high voltage level (H_(n))can indicate that the corresponding power source can supply 8.0 Watts ofavailable power. Although the high voltage levels H₁, H₂, H₃, . . . ,H_(n) can vary depending upon implementation, these voltage levels areall “High” level. For example, if the peripheral bus deems voltages from2.0-3.3 Volts as “High,” then the high voltage levels H₁, H₂, H₃, . . ., H_(n) represent distinct, non-overlapping voltages or voltage rangesall within the range of 2.0 Volts and 3.3 Volts.

FIG. 4B illustrates a table 450 that provides a representativecorrelation of high voltage level to available power. The table 450 issuitable for use when the power source is a battery pack. The table 450can indicate characteristics of the battery pack, which indirectlyprovide an indication of available power. As shown in the table 450illustrated in FIG. 4B, a high voltage level H₁ can indicate that thecorresponding battery pack has one AA battery. A high voltage level H₂can indicate that the corresponding battery pack has two AA batteries. Ahigh voltage level H₃ can indicate that the corresponding battery packhas two AAA batteries. Additionally, in general, the n^(th) high voltagelevel (H_(n)) can indicate that the corresponding battery pack has threeAAA batteries. Although the high voltage levels H₁, H₂, H₃, . . . ,H_(n) can vary depending upon implementation, these voltage levels areall “High” level.

In other embodiments, the sign (positive or negative) of the voltagedifference (e.g., V_(DPM)=V_(DP)−V_(DM)) can be used to distinguishdifferent power sources. For example, if the voltage difference ispositive, the power source can be deemed a power adapter. Alternatively,if the voltage difference is negative, the power source can be deemed abattery pack. The magnitude of the voltage difference can then be usedas noted above to directly or indirectly signify level of poweravailability.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic device 500 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The electronic device 500 can, for example,represent the electronic device 112 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

The electronic device 500 couples to or includes a peripheral connector502. The peripheral connector 502 is coupled to a DC power (DC PWR)line, a data DP line, a data DM line, and a ground (GND) line. Theselines are supplied to a bus interface 504. The bus interface 504 enablesthe electronic device 500 to receive power and/or participate in datatransmissions and receptions over a peripheral bus. Since the inventionis primarily concerned with receiving power over the peripheral bus, thediscussion below is primarily directed to receiving power at theelectronic device 500 over the peripheral bus and then managing powerutilization to ensure stable operation.

The electronic device 500 further includes an analog-to-digitalconversion circuit 506. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit 506couples to the data lines DP and DM. The analog-to-digital conversioncircuit 506 converts the analog voltage levels on the data lines DP andDM to digital voltage levels that are supplied to a controller 508. Moreparticularly, the digital voltage levels are supplied to an availablepower detector 510. In this embodiment, the available power detector 510is provided within the controller 508. For example, the controller 508is typically an integrated circuit, such as a microprocessor, custom IC(e.g., ASIC), or programmable IC that has been programmed. The availablepower detector 510 examines the digital voltage levels to determine anavailable power level. The available power level represents an amount ofavailable power that is available to the electronic device 500 from apower source via the peripheral bus. Once the available power level isdetermined, the available power level is provided to a power manager512. In this embodiment, the power manager 512 is provided within thecontroller 508. The power manager 512 operates to control theoperational activity of the electronic device 500 so that its power drawvia the peripheral bus does not normally exceed the power available fromthe power source. In this regard, the power manager 512 may cause thecontroller 508 or other power consuming circuitry 514 to deferoperations, sequence operations, or avoid operations so that the powerconsumption of the electronic device 500 is managed.

Typically, the electronic device 500 would be a battery-powered deviceand that a rechargeable battery within the electronic device 500 couldbe charged by the power provided over the peripheral bus. Hence, thecharging operation may affect the amount of power available for othercircuitry within the electronic device 500. Furthermore, to the extentthat the battery is adequately charged, the battery may offer additionalpower for consumption by the electronic device 500 in the event that theavailable power offered by the power source via the peripheral bus isexceeded by operational activity of the electronic device 500. Examplesof the other power consuming circuitry 514 will vary widely dependingupon implementation. Nevertheless, some examples of other powerconsuming circuitry 514 include a disk drive, a battery charge circuit,a memory device (e.g., RAM, ROM), a battery monitor, and a display.

In the embodiment of the electronic device 500 shown in FIG. 5, theavailable power detector 510 and the power manager 512 are providedwithin the controller 508. However, it should be recognized that theavailable power detector 510 and the power manager 512 need not beprovided within the controller 508 and can also be separate componentsor integrated together.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an analog-to-digital conversion circuit600 according to one embodiment of the invention. The analog-to-digitalconversion circuit 600 is, for example, suitable for use as theanalog-to-digital conversion circuit 506 illustrated in FIG. 5. Theanalog-to-digital conversion circuit 600 includes resistors 602 and 604and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 606 for converting an analogvoltage on the data line DP to a digital output of n-bits. Similarly,resistors 608 and 610 and an ADC 612 convert an analog voltage on thedata line DM to a digital output of n-bits.

In an alternate embodiment for the analog-to-digital conversion circuit506 illustrated in FIG. 5, the conversion circuitry could be shared forthe data lines DP and DM through use of a switch or multiplexer and onlya portion of the analog-to-digital conversion circuit 600. For example,a switch or multiplexer could selectively couple one of the data line DMor DP to the resistor 602, and then the output of the ADC 606 can be thedigital voltage on the data line DM or on the data line DP, thuseliminating the need for the resistors 608 and 610 as well as the ADC612.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a power management system 700 according toone embodiment of the invention. The power management system 700describes a representative operation of a power manager, such as thepower manager 512, according to one embodiment of the invention. Thepower management system 700 represents a portion of an electronicdevice.

The power management system 700 includes a power manager 702. The powermanager 702 receives an available power level (APL) from an availablepower detector, such as the available power detector 510. The powermanager 702 operates to control operation of electronic circuitry basedon the available power level. As shown in FIG. 7, the power managementsystem 700 can couple to a battery 704 and a battery monitor 706. Thebattery monitor 706 can monitor a battery charge level (BCL) and providethe battery charge level to the power manager 702. As a result, thepower manager 702 can also control operation of electronic circuitrybased on the battery charge level. In other words, the power manager 702can manage power consumption by the electronic device based on theavailable power level and/or the battery charge level.

Power supplied to the electronic device by the power source can becoupled to the battery 704 via a battery charge circuit 708. The batterycharge circuit 708 can be controlled by the power manager 702 such thatthe power available from a power source can either be available forcharging the battery 704 or can be prevented from being used to chargethe battery 704. The power management system 700 also includes otherpower consuming circuitry 710 associated with the electronic device. Theother power consuming circuitry 710 can vary widely depending uponimplementation. Nevertheless, some or all of the power consumingcircuitry 710 can be controlled by the power manager 702. For example,the power manager 702 could limit the use of certain circuitry, couldcause circuitry too initiate in different sequences, could change usageof circuitry, etc. In doing so, the power manager 702 can make use ofnot only the available power level but also the battery charge level. Asshown in FIG. 7, power from the battery P_(BAT) is combined with thepower from the power source P_(IN) to yield a device power P_(OUT). Thedevice power P_(OUT) is provided to at least the power manager 702, thebattery monitor 706, and the other power consuming circuitry 710. Hence,even though power consumption is being managed by the power manager 702,the power being drawn from the electronic device can exceed the powerinto the electronic device by the power amplifier, namely, power P_(IN),provided the difference in power is available from the battery P_(BAT).

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an available power process 800 according toone embodiment of the invention. The available power process 800 is, forexample, performed by an electronic device, such as the electronicdevice 112 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B or the electronic deviceillustrated in FIG. 5.

The available power process 800 begins with a decision 802 thatdetermines whether a peripheral bus has been detected. Here, theelectronic device can monitor or be informed when a peripheral bus iscoupled between a host and the electronic device. In one embodiment,once a power line (e.g., DC PWR) of a peripheral connector of theelectronic device detects the presence of a positive voltage source(e.g., 5 volts) the presence of a peripheral bus can be deemed detectedby the electronic device. When the decision 802 determines that aperipheral bus has not been detected, the available power process 800waits for the detection of a peripheral bus. In other words, theavailable power process 800 can be initiated or deemed invoked once theperipheral bus has been detected.

Once the decision 802 determines that a peripheral bus has beendetected, voltage levels are read 804 from bus data lines of theperipheral bus. For example, the voltage levels can be read from thedata lines DP and DM, such as illustrated in FIG. 5. Next, a decision806 determines whether the host device is a power source. The peripheralbus being detected can be from various different devices (e.g., hostdevices), including a power source and a computer. In one embodiment,the voltage levels on the bus data lines can signal the type of hostdevice. For example, the invention is particularly suited for use withhost devices that are power sources. More particularly, the voltagelevels on the bus data lines can signal that the host device is a powersource. In one implementation, the voltage levels being “High” on thebus data lines can signal the presence of a power source.

In any case, when the decision 806 determines that the host device isnot a power source, then other standard processing 808 can be performed.For example, if the host device is a computer, the other standardprocessing 808 may involve operations to facilitate the exchange of databetween the computer and the electronic device.

On the other hand, when the decision 806 determines that the host deviceis a power source, an available power level of the power source isdetermined 810. In one embodiment, the available power level of thepower source can be determined 810 by further examination of the voltagelevels on the bus data lines. Namely, the voltage levels on the bus datalines can signal the power level available from the power source. Forexample, as noted above with respect to FIG. 4A, the voltage levels onthe bus data lines can be categorized into a plurality of “High” voltagelevels H₁, H₂, H₃, . . . , H_(n) which are deemed to respectivelycorrespond to different available power levels offered by the powersource, namely, 0.5, 1, 3, . . . , 8 Watts.

After the available power level is determined 810, power utilization bythe electronic device can be managed 812 in accordance with thedetermined available power level. That is, during operation of theelectronic device, the power utilization can be controlled or managedsuch that operations or functions may vary depending upon the determinedavailable power level.

Next, followings blocks 808 and 812, a decision 814 determines whetherthe peripheral bus has been disconnected. When the decision 814determines that the peripheral bus has not been disconnected, then theprocessing returns to repeat the decision 812 so that power utilizationby the electronic device can continue to be managed. Alternatively, whenthe decision 814 determines that the peripheral bus has beendisconnected, the processing returns to repeat the decision 802 andsubsequent blocks so that the electronic device can again perform theavailable power process 800 when a peripheral bus is thereafterconnected to the electronic device.

One type of operation that is particularly power intensive is a bootprocess, which involves the initial start-up of an electronic device.Typically, the electronic device performing a boot process would includea disk drive device that stores program code that is used for or toboot-up an operating system for the electronic device.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a boot process 900 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The electronic device can perform the bootprocess 900 to initiate the electronic device for operation.

The boot process 900 begins with a decision 902 that determines whetherthe determined available power level is greater than or equal to aminimum boot power level. As an example, the determined available powerlevel can be determined at block 810 of the available power processillustrated in FIG. 8. When the decision 902 determines that thedetermined available power level (from the power source) is not greaterthan or equal to the minimum boot power level, then further processingis performed to determine whether its is an appropriate time to boot-up.More specifically, a battery charge level is read 904. Then, a decision906 determines whether the battery charge level is greater than or equalto a minimum charge level. When the decision 906 determines that thebattery charge level is not greater than or equal to the minimum chargelevel, the battery is charged 908 and a boot sequence is delayed.Following the block 908, the boot process 900 returns to repeat thedecision 906 so that the battery charge level can again be compared withthe minimum charge level. Once the decision 906 determines that thebattery charge level equals or exceeds the minimum charge level, thenthe boot process 900 permits the boot sequence to be performed 910.

On the other hand, when the decision 902 determines that the determinedavailable power level is greater than or equal to the minimum boot powerlevel, the boot sequence can be directly performed 910. Accordingly, theboot process 900 permits the boot sequence to be immediately performedif the determined available power level offered by the power source isdeemed to exceed the minimum boot power level needed to properly operatethe electronic device during the boot sequence. However, in the case inwhich the determined available power level offered by the power sourcedoes not equal or exceed the minimum boot power level, additional powermay be required to be drawn from the battery of the electronic device.Hence, the decision 906 ensures that the battery has at least a minimumcharge level before the boot sequence is able to be performed 910.Following the performance 910 of the boot sequence, the boot process 900is complete and ends.

The electronic device as described herein can be a media player capableof playing (including displaying) media items. The media items canpertain to audio items (e.g., audio files or songs), videos (e.g.,movies) or images (e.g., photos).

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a media player 1000 suitable for use withthe invention. The media player 1000 can include the circuitry of theelectronic device 112 in FIGS. 1A and 1B or the electronic device 500 inFIG. 5, and/or can perform the operations described with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9.

The media player 1000 includes a processor 1002 that pertains to amicroprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation ofthe media player 1000. The media player 1000 stores media datapertaining to media items in a file system 1004 and a cache 1006. Thefile system 1004 is, typically, a storage disk or a plurality of disks.The file system 1004 typically provides high capacity storage capabilityfor the media player 1000. However, since the access time to the filesystem 1004 is relatively slow, the media player 1000 can also include acache 1006. The cache 1006 is, for example, Random-Access Memory (RAM)provided by semiconductor memory. The relative access time to the cache1006 is substantially shorter than for the file system 1004. However,the cache 1006 does not have the large storage capacity of the filesystem 1004. Further, the file system 1004, when active, consumes morepower than does the cache 1006. The power consumption is often a concernwhen the media player 1000 is a portable media player that is powered bya battery (not shown). The media player 1000 also includes a RAM 1020and a Read-Only Memory (ROM) 1022. The ROM 1022 can store programs,utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM1020 provides volatile data storage, such as for the cache 1006.

The media player 1000 also includes a user input device 1008 that allowsa user of the media player 1000 to interact with the media player 1000.For example, the user input device 1008 can take a variety of forms,such as a button, keypad, dial, etc. Still further, the media player1000 includes a display 1010 (screen display) that can be controlled bythe processor 1002 to display information to the user. A data bus 1011can facilitate data transfer between at least the file system 1004, thecache 1006, the processor 1002, and the CODEC 1012.

In one embodiment, the media player 1000 serves to store a plurality ofmedia items (e.g., songs) in the file system 1004. When a user desiresto have the media player play a particular media item, a list ofavailable media items is displayed on the display 1010. Then, using theuser input device 1008, a user can select one of the available mediaitems. The processor 1002, upon receiving a selection of a particularmedia item, supplies the media data (e.g., audio file) for theparticular media item to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 1012. The CODEC 1012then produces analog output signals for a speaker 1014. The speaker 1014can be a speaker internal to the media player 1000 or external to themedia player 1000. For example, headphones or earphones that connect tothe media player 1000 would be considered an external speaker.

The media player 1000 also includes a bus interface 1016 that couples toa data link 1018. The data link 1018 allows the media player 1000 tocouple to a host device (e.g., host computer or power source). The datalink 1018 can also provide power to the media player 1000.

The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of theinvention can be used separately or in any combination.

The invention is preferably implemented by hardware, software or acombination of hardware and software. The software can also be embodiedas computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computerreadable medium is any data storage device that can store data which canthereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computerreadable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs,DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves.The computer readable medium can also be distributed overnetwork-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code isstored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different aspects,embodiments or implementations may yield one or more of the followingadvantages. One advantage of the invention is that a portable mediadevice can easily and rapidly determine whether a power source isconnected to its peripheral port and, if so, how much power can be drawnfrom the power source via the peripheral port. Another advantage of theinvention is that power utilization by a portable media device can bedependent on available power for stable and reliable operation.

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparentfrom the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appendedclaims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention.Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to theexact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence,all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

1. An electrical device, comprising: a bus interface coupled to a busconnector, the bus connector providing a power line, a ground line and aplurality of data lines to said bus interface; an available powerdetector operatively connected to said bus interface, said availablepower detector operates to detect a level of available power from thepower line when a power source is operatively connected to said businterface via the bus connector; power-consuming circuitry; and a powermanager operatively connected to said available power detector and saidpower-consuming circuitry, said power manager operates to manage powerutilization by at least a portion of said power-consuming circuitrybased on the level of available power.
 2. An electrical device asrecited in claim 1, wherein said electrical device further comprises: abattery.
 3. An electrical device as recited in claim 2, wherein saidelectrical device further comprises: a battery monitor operativelyconnected to said battery, said battery monitor operates to monitor acharge level of said battery.
 4. An electrical device as recited inclaim 3, wherein said power manager operates to manage power utilizationby at least a portion of said power-consuming circuitry based on thelevel of available power and the charge level.
 5. An electrical deviceas recited in claim 3, wherein the at least a portion of saidpower-consuming circuitry includes at least a disk drive.
 6. Anelectrical device as recited in claim 5, wherein said power managercontrol when or how said electronic device boots-up using the diskdrive.
 7. An electrical device as recited in claim 1, wherein saidpower-consuming circuitry includes at least a disk drive.
 8. Anelectrical device as recited in claim 7, wherein said power managercontrol when or how said electronic device boots-up using the diskdrive.
 9. An electrical device as recited in claim 8, wherein saidelectrical device further comprises: a battery.
 10. An electrical deviceas recited in claim 9, wherein said electrical device further comprises:a battery monitor operatively connected to said battery, said batterymonitor operates to monitor a charge level of said battery.
 11. Anelectrical device as recited in claim 10, wherein said power manageroperates to manage power utilization by at least the disk drive of saidpower-consuming circuitry based on the level of available power and thecharge level.
 12. An electrical device as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid electrical device is a portable media player.
 13. An electricaldevice as recited in claim 12, wherein said power-consuming circuitryincludes at least a disk drive, the disk drive stores a plurality ofmedia items that can be played by the portable media player.
 14. Anelectrical device as recited in claim 12, wherein the power source is apower adapter or a battery pack.
 15. A method for managing powerutilization by an electrical device having a bus connector, said methodcomprising: detecting connection of a peripheral bus to a bus connectorof the electrical device, the peripheral bus having at least a powerline and a plurality of bus data lines; reading voltage levels on thebus data lines when said detecting detects connection of the peripheralbus; determining whether a host device providing the peripheral bus is apower adapter based on the voltage levels; and determining an availablepower level for the power adapter based on the voltage levels when saiddetermining determines that the host device is a power adapter; andmanaging power utilization of the electrical device based on theavailable power level for the power adapter.
 16. A method as recited inclaim 15, wherein the bus connector is a USB connector.
 17. A method asrecited in claim 15, wherein the bus connector is a FIREWIRE connector.18. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the electrical deviceincludes a processor and at least a disk drive that stores computerprogram code, the processor can operate in accordance with the storedcomputer program code, and wherein said managing operates to manage whenor how the processor boots-up using the disk drive.
 19. A method asrecited in claim 18, wherein said electrical device is a portable mediaplayer.
 20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the bus connectoris a USB connector, and wherein the voltage levels that determine areused to determine available power levels for power adapter are allwithin a “High” voltage range of the peripheral bus when said detectingdetects connection of the peripheral bus.
 21. A method for managingpower utilization by an electrical device having a bus connector, saidmethod comprising: detecting connection of a peripheral bus to a busconnector of the electrical device, the peripheral bus having at least apower line and a plurality of bus data lines; reading voltage levels onthe bus data lines when said detecting detects connection of theperipheral bus; determining whether a host device providing theperipheral bus is a battery pack based on the voltage levels; anddetermining an available power capacity of the battery pack based on thevoltage levels when said determining determines that the host device isa battery pack; and managing power utilization of the electrical devicebased on the available power capacity of the battery pack.
 22. A methodfor determining power availability from a power adapter coupled to anelectronic device via a peripheral bus, the peripheral bus having atleast a power line and a plurality of bus data lines, said methodcomprising: reading voltage levels induced on the bus data lines by thepower adapter; and determining an available power level for the poweradapter based on the voltage levels.
 23. A method as recited in claim22, wherein said method further comprises: thereafter managing powerutilization of the electrical device based on the available power levelfor the power adapter.
 24. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein theelectrical device includes a processor and at least a disk drive thatstores computer program code, the processor can operate in accordancewith the stored computer program code, and wherein said managingoperates to manage when or how the processor boots-up using the diskdrive.
 25. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the electricaldevice is a portable media player.
 26. A method as recited in claim 22,wherein the electrical device is a portable media player.
 27. A methodfor determining power availability from a battery pack coupled to anelectronic device via a peripheral bus, the peripheral bus having atleast a power line and a plurality of bus data lines, said methodcomprising: reading voltage levels induced on the bus data lines by thebattery pack; and determining an available power level for the batterypack based on the voltage levels.
 28. A method as recited in claim 27,wherein said method further comprises: thereafter managing powerutilization of the electrical device based on the available power levelfor the battery pack.
 29. A method as recited in claim 28, wherein theelectrical device includes a processor and at least a disk drive thatstores computer program code, the processor can operate in accordancewith the stored computer program code, and wherein said managingoperates to manage when or how the processor boots-up using the diskdrive.
 30. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein the electricaldevice is a portable media player.
 31. A method for identifying aperipheral device coupled to a peripheral connector of an electronicdevice, said method comprising: detecting connection of a peripheral busto the bus connector of the electrical device, the peripheral bus beingassociated with a host device that is also connected to the peripheralbus, the peripheral bus having at least a power line and a plurality ofbus data lines; reading voltage levels on the bus data lines after saiddetecting detects connection of the peripheral bus; and identifying thehost device as a power adapter or a battery pack based on the voltagelevels.
 32. A method as recited in claim 31, wherein the electricaldevice is a portable media player.
 33. A method as recited in claim 32,wherein said method further comprises: determining an available powerlevel for the power adapter or battery pack based on the voltage levels.